Gotipua Dance Festival in Odisha: Govt Aid, Gurukul Revival & Cultural Legacy

Bhubaneswar: The state-level Gotipua Dance Festival concluded with vibrant performances and a renewed commitment to preserving Odisha’s cultural legacy.

Held at the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre from August 30 to September 1, the festival featured over 20 troupes showcasing the traditional Gotipua dance form.

Odisha’s Minister for Odia Language, Literature, and Culture, Suryabanshi Suraj, announced financial aid for Gotipua gurukuls, aiming to modernise infrastructure while safeguarding the authenticity of the art. “Gotipua is the identity of our Odia pride,” he said, emphasizing plans to integrate the dance into educational curricula under the National Education Policy and strengthen the guru-shishya tradition.

The closing ceremony was marked by a stirring performance from 83-year-old Guru Bhagirathi Mahapatra, whose artistry captivated the audience.

A panel discussion titled “Originality and Costumes of Gotipua” explored ways to retain the dance’s essence amid evolving times.

Eminent gurus and scholars—including Guru Gobind Chandra Pal, Guru Dhaneswar Swain, Dr. Chittaranjan Mallia, Guru Satyapriya Palai, Dr. Snehaprabha Samantaray, and Guru Nilachal Mahapatra—were felicitated for their contributions.

Notable attendees included Padmashri Kumkum Mohanty, Dr. Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, and Professor Prasanna Kumar Swain.

With government backing and cultural enthusiasm, Gotipua is poised to inspire future generations while continuing to promote a healthy lifestyle and artistic discipline.